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Two psychiatric presentations linked with 'head shop' products.
Chimdi Uhoegbu1, Eric Kolshus1, Izu Nwachukwu1
1St Vincent's University Hospital,Elm Park,Dublin 4,Ireland.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
|September 12, 2018
Summary
Two cases of acute psychosis emerged rapidly after consuming head shop products (HSPs), resolving quickly. Standard toxicology screening was negative, highlighting risks in psychiatric units.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Head shop products (HSPs) pose potential risks.
- Acute psychosis can be triggered by novel psychoactive substances.
- Standard toxicology screening may not detect all HSPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two cases of acute psychosis linked to HSPs.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges and management of such cases.
- To highlight the limitations of current toxicology screening for HSPs.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two patients with acute psychosis.
- Review of clinical presentation, including autonomic instability.
- Analysis of toxicology screening results (urine).
- Discussion of HSP characterization methods.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced acute onset and rapid resolution of psychotic symptoms.
- Autonomic instability was present in both cases.
- Urine toxicology screening yielded negative results using standard techniques.
- Challenges in identifying causative agents in HSPs were noted.
Conclusions:
- HSPs can induce acute psychotic episodes.
- Management of such cases requires awareness of potential HSP toxicity.
- Advanced toxicology methods are needed for HSP identification.